South Africa health department launches investigation after 12-year-old girl gave birth on New Year’s day

The Department of Health in the Eastern Cape has launched an investigation after a 12-year-old girl gave birth on New Year's Day. The Department of Health (DoH) reported that by 5pm on January 1, a total of 653 babies had been born across the country.  Gauteng recorded more than 200 babies, while KwaZulu-Natal recorded 185. "The department is however concerned with teenage girls who continue to be counted amongst these mothers, including a 12-year-old mother who delivered a healthy baby in Frontier Hospital in the Eastern Cape," the DoH said in a statement.  Eastern Cape Health MEC, Ntandokazi Capa, has tasked the head of the health department to send a team of officials to the hospital, along with other government stakeholders to investigate the matter further. The DoH welcomed Capa's response. "This follows a similar action taken in Limpopo which led to the arrest of a man who allegedly impregnated a 13-year-old girl," it said.  The accused in this matter, a 28-year-old man has appeared in court following a charge of statutory rape as well as sexual grooming of a minor.   The post South Africa health department launches investigation after 12-year-old girl gave birth on New Years day appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.